Aberdeen, S.D.- The Northern State University softball team collected their first conference sweep of the 2016 season, defeating Southwest Minnesota State 6-5 and 8-4. The Wolves are now 2-2 in the NSIC and 12-16 overall, while SMSU falls to 2-2 in the conference and 6-14 overall on the year.

Game One

The Wolves got the offense going early in the first game of the day, when Rachel Albright led off the second inning with a double to right field. Senior Macey Engel advanced Albright in the next at bat with a sacrifice bunt to first base. Freshman Jamie Fisher approached the plate with two outs, and ripped a single through the left side to put the first run of the game on the board for NSU.

After holding the Mustangs in the top of the third, the Wolves would go on to add three more runs in the bottom of the inning, recording four singles off the bats of Kelsey Gale, Kalie Maiden, Rachel Albright and Jamie Fisher, along with a sacrifice fly from Macey Engel.

Southwest State looked to strike a comeback in the top of the sixth as they started the inning with a triple. Two singles and another triple scored three runs for the Mustangs, as they cut the NSU lead to just one run.

SMSU's Taylor Koloc led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a solo homerun to right center to tie the game 4-4. The Mustangs accumulated a base runner off of a hit batter, followed by a double to take the 5-4 lead over the Wolves.

Northern State was forced to spark a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Katelynn Dilts was awarded first base on balls with one out. After hitting into a second out, senior Macey Engel stepped to the plate and launched a line drive double to left field, inches short of a homerun. The double would tie the game for the Wolves, and send Jamie Fisher to the plate. Fisher walked to keep NSU alive with two outs. Batting in the six spot, Michaela Liebl would approach the plate next. With a 0-1 count, the sophomore ripped a walk-off single up the middle to seal the 6-5 victory for the Wolves.

The Wolves were patient at the plate as a team, collecting five walks and nine hits. Rachel Albright and Jamie Fisher led NSU with two hits apiece. Jamie Fisher and Macey Engel each nabbed two RBIs for the team in the win.

From the mound, junior Missy Elkins improved to 7-7 overall. Elkins held the Mustangs to eight hits and five earned runs in seven complete innings pitched.

Game Two

Northern State earned an early lead in their second game of the double-header, picking up four runs in the bottom of the first. The Wolves recorded two hits, two walks and a pair of heads-up plays on the base paths to gain their 4-0 lead.

The Mustangs inched their way back in the top of the second, collecting four hits for two runs, however, left two runners on to allow the Wolves to maintain a two-run lead.

The game slowed down until the top of the fourth inning as Brittney Lash singled to right center, and advanced to second on a wild pitch to put herself in scoring position for Kelsey Gale. With one out, the senior knocked Lash around with a single to right field. The Wolves added to their lead, entering the fifth inning up 5-2.

Shutting the Mustangs down in the top of the inning, Northern State continued to string together hits offensively. Ashley Clapp, Michaela Liebl, Brittney Lash and Kelsey Gale each singled in the bottom of the fifth to put the Wolves up 8-2.

In the top of the sixth, Taylor Koloc of SMSU, recorded her second homerun of the day with a two-run shot to right center. The Mustangs would cut the score to 8-4, but the Wolves finished out the inning by forcing a groundout to the pitcher. NSU recorded a 1-2-3 top of the seventh inning to complete the sweep.

The Wolves unloaded for 10 hits in 29 at bats, earning five walks and three stolen bases. Kelsey Gale led the team going 2-3 from the plate with a walk and three RBIs. Seniors Macey Engel and Brittney Lash also collected two hits each in the match-up.

Jamie Fisher recorded her fourth victory of the season, allowing two earned runs in two innings pitched. Junior Rachel Albright made a relief appearance for the Wolves, holding Southwest State to four hits and two runs in four innings from the mound.

The Wolves will continue conference action on Tuesday against St. Cloud State at 2 and 4 p.m. on the road.